Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday inaugurated a temporary causeway constructed by Army to replace a bridge damaged by the flood in Pulwama, which connects three south Kashmir districts with the summer capital Srinagar.

Omar inaugurated the causeway made by a team of Army engineers at Gudur Pulwama to replace the bridge which was damaged during the floods and was the only link to connect Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts with Srinagar, officials said.

Omar appreciated Army for constructing the temporary bridge and underlined the need for having a concrete bridge at the location to withstand floods and other such eventualities, the officials said.

They said that after focusing on rescue and relief operations, the Army is shifting its focus to help civil administration in restoration of infrastructures and services.

The officials said the bridge will serve as the interim source of connectivity.

Omar said the priority has been given to make food grains and other essential items available to the people besides making hospitals functional and cleaning garbage and carcasses from the flood hit areas.

He expressed hope that in the next few days situation will improve and the relief and rehabilitation work will be intensified.

The Chief Minister also visited some fruit orchards affected by the floods and heavy rains, the officials said.

Omar referred to the huge damage caused by the floods to the crops particularly paddy, maize, vegetable and fruit and said he has taken up the issue of waving off the loans taken by the farmers on the Kissan Credit Cards with the Central government.

In a meeting with the representatives of fruit growers, the Chief Minister said the government will take all measures to ensure transportation of fruit from the state to the terminal markets.

The Chief Minister also chaired a meeting of district officers and was briefed about the relief and rehabilitation works going on in the district.

He directed the officers to ensure full support and help to the affected families and ensure that necessary relief reaches to them hassle-free, the officials said.